Opera fans relish a dream evening in the shadow of Lismore Castle

More than 5,000 fans of musical theatre flocked to Waterford’s Lismore Castle over the weekend for the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival.

The festival featured rarely seen works by international composers in the shadow of the historic building, along with other music events across Waterford and East Cork on the border.

Presenting its most ambitious programme to date, the festival showcased some of Ireland’s and Europe’s finest classical performers against a backdrop of spectacular scenery.

Free open-air recitals held in Youghal, Castlemartyr, Dungarvan, and Lismore were described as highlights, while food enthusiasts savoured the pop-up dining experience in some of the region’s renowned restaurants.

Ambitious

According to festival director Eamonn Carroll, this year marked a “real step forward”, as it was the most ambitious and wide-reaching programme to date.

“There was a brilliant energy throughout the week, from the bold opera productions and beautifully curated recitals to our formal opera dining,” Mr Carroll said.

“This year represented a major milestone, as we staged two full opera productions for the first time — Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the stunning grounds of Lismore Castle, and Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas at St Carthage’s Cathedral — each showcasing Ireland’s extraordinary operatic talent and the expressive power of live performance,” he said.

The flagship opera A Midsummer Night’s Dream featured a children’s chorus and child performers, receiving rave reviews from audiences.

Conductor David Brophy led the Irish Chamber Orchestra and a predominantly Irish cast, directed by Patrick Mason, in an atmospheric staging of the English composer’s 20th-century opera.

Opera lovers will be keenly anticipating next year’s festival, with Don Giovanni as the headline opera, which is scheduled to take place between May 25 and June 1.